Medical Assistant · Salary Comparison · 2026
Medical Assistant Salary: Pittsburgh, PA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Medical Assistants in Pittsburgh, PA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$33,000 vs $50,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$36,667 vs $26,738
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Pittsburgh, PA
$32,840 vs $23,013
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Pittsburgh, PA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $33,000 | $50,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,410 | $38,500▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,240 | $64,000▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,800 | $80,000▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.07%▲ | 6.85% | -3.78% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,667▲ | $26,738 | +$9,929 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $29,556 | $43,035▲ | -$13,479 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $32,840▲ | $23,013 | +$9,827 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 170,000 | -135,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Pittsburgh, PA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $17,000 more (median: $33,000 vs $50,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Pittsburgh, PA provides better purchasing power ($36,667 vs $26,738 equivalent). Pittsburgh, PA has the lower state tax rate (3.07% vs 6.85%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.